by Donna Lewis
On Maya 4, I was so happy to discover two monarch caterpillars feeding on the milkweed a group of our Master Naturalists planted on our properties last year. This species of milkweed is Asclepias asperula, common name Antelope Horns or Spider Milkweed.
Of the twenty-four plants I received from a grant Cathy Johnson procured for us, only these few survived. Gophers tunneled under all the others and they did not regrow.
But… look what found them! There are two monarch caterpillars munching away on them.
There were also two species of bees, a wasp, a variegated fritillary, and a hairstreak butterfly. Everyone wanted in on the action.
Interesting was the fact that the Monarchs were eating the stems not the leaves? I do not know why that was. Something to learn about.
The main thing to take away is that while it may seem like a minor event…two more monarchs made it into our world.
So yes, we can make a difference!
Who are you gardening for?
Nature Along the El Camino Real 